RibFest serves up food, fun in new spot downtown

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.

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Chet Maxey of Ribs Express in Indianapolis finishes seasoning his second round of ribs after being cleaned out during a morning/lunch rush. Since the ribs can take several hours to cook, many vendors has to begging to prepare for the dinner crowds shortly after the lunch rush.(Photo: Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press, Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press)Buy Photo

"I gotta get my ribs," said Mark Hanson as he wiped some sauce from his hands. "I look forward to this every year, so I don't care if it's 100 degrees."

It was close. The heat index early in the afternoon launched temps into the 90s.

Under the large tent at Pit Master Bird and Sons BBQ and D&D's Treats and Eats, John Boyd Jr. was handling the grill. "The rain cooled it off a little so it's not too hot ... yet," he said with a grin.

Boyd Jr. said his tent had the works, rattling off just some of the options — "candy, chips, walking tacos, lemon shake-ups, fish, french fries. ..."

But it was the rip tips, he said, that were drawing the most customers so far. "Secret seasonings," Boyd Jr. said with a nod.

Downtown Development moved the annual finger-licking fest down to Canan Commons this year instead of spreading it out along Walnut Street.

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Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Chet Maxey of Ribs Express in Indianapolis finishes seasoning his second round of ribs after being cleaned out during a morning/lunch rush. Since the ribs can take several hours to cook, many vendors has to begging to prepare for the dinner crowds shortly after the lunch rush.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Beth Hanauer eats a lunch of ribs with her friend Saturday afternoon at Muncie RibFest. Hundreds of people swept dozens of vendors all serving their own version on barbecue ribs.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Kelsi Bowden eats a rib down to the bone with her family on Saturday evening at Canan Commons for Muncie RibFest. The group tried a few ribs from several different vendors at the event.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Frank Ivey with Ivy and Spice in Indianapolis grills not only ribs, but chicken as well on a massive smoker that was towed behind a bus. Dozens of vendors have been trying to win the best ribs award for the annual event.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

Hundreds of patrons came out to Muncie RibFest 2014 for food, fun and music on Saturday at Canan Commons in downtown Muncie. Two stages held live music performances while dozen of vendors sold ribs and other food along the street.
Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press Corey Ohlenkamp/The Star Press

All of the favorites were still there — the kiddie train, the inflatables, the dunk tank, the music and, of course, the food.

Deanna Walker of D&D's Treats and Eats said she liked that the fest was moved down to Canan Commons. "It's nice to have it all in one spot," she said as she prepared a lemon shake-up.

Chris Young and his family come every year.

"They've always got someone new bringing ribs in so it's always nice to try someone new," he said, his wife, Amber, and their two kids, Conner, 1, and Lily, 4, standing close by.

They had just polished off some ribs at a picnic table nearby. "We'll walk around for a while until we work up another appetite and eat some more," he said with a laugh.

Lily, meanwhile, couldn't take her eyes off of the inflatables.

"She's ready to bounce," Young said, pointing the stroller in that direction.

Booths offering face painting, psychic readings, tie dye shirts and jewelry were ideal places to browse after sucking down a slab. And many were happy to see the return of one of the fest favorites — the apple cider slushies from the Old Washington Street Festival booth.

But there was perhaps no cooler spot — literally — than the Cornfed Derby Dames dunk tank, where Adrianne Henderson was perched on the platform.

Henderson is new to the Dames — so new she doesn't even have a derby name yet.

"I've been up here for about an hour," she said, adding that she had been knocked in more than 20 times. "I don't mind at all."

There were two stages offering live music. As the Peach Pickers wrapped up on one stage, the Big Booty Brass Band was ready to get funky on the other.

It was the latter that ended its set with a theme song, of sorts, for the celebration.

"I want some ribs and sauce," they sang as the sax player wandered among the rib tents. "Ribs and sauce. Ribs and sauce. ..."